Corner guard for covering a wall corner junction

ABSTRACT

A corner guard providing protection for tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by an intersection of side walls. The corner guard includes an edge guard bent to cover a portion of the intersection of side walls proximally above the corner junction. The edge guard includes a base end configured to be releasably attached to each side wall proximal to the tiles. A ledge is formed integrally with said edge guard base end with the ledge extended a sufficient width laterally for protective covering of an upper portion of the tiles. A tile cover integrally depends from the ledge and is sized and angled to substantially cover the tiles proximal of the corner junction. The tile cover protectively covers the tiles and deflects impacts directed toward the tiles while the edge guard protects the wall edges above the corner junction from impacts directed toward the wall edges.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a corner guard for covering a corner of a baseboard. More particularly, this invention pertains to a corner guard installed over tiles attached proximal of a corner junction of side walls.

2. Description of the Related Art

In congested indoor areas, such as in commercial facilities including restaurants and convention meeting facilities, ceramic or plastic tiles are positioned to cover corner junctions along the baseboard of the intersection of walls. For areas experiencing a significant amount of cart traffic, the ceramic or plastic tiles are bumped by cart wheels and cart corners and are readily damaged if not protected. Once damaged, the tiles covering the corner junction will crack and/or separate from the wall, thereby allowing adjacent tiles to separate from the wall and allowing further damage to the baseboard and corner junction of side walls until repaired.

Prior art tiles are configured to fit in abutting end-to-end or overlapping relationship along the exterior base of a wall surface. Prior art tiles are positioned to cover a corner junction of the intersection of walls and typically have a base portion resting on a floor surface or on carpet extended proximal to the corner junction. Prior art tiles are frequently bumped by cart wheels to create cracks therein, and/or become separated from the corner junction by repeated impacts from cart wheels and cart corners. When prior art tiles separate from the corner junction, the adjacent tiles are disrupted in a domino-type effect and are dislodged from covering the baseboard of either or both walls adjacent the corner junction.

A need exists for a protective corner guard configured to cover tiles attached to and extending outwardly from a wall corner junction while providing a corner guard that does not detract from the aesthetics of the tiles. A need also exists for providing a protective corner guard constructed of a resilient material sufficient to deflect repetitive impacts from cart wheels and cart side supports, and/or other impacts directed against a corner junction of the adjacent walls in a commercial facility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a corner guard is disclosed for providing protection for tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by an intersection of side walls. The corner guard further provides protection for the wall edges above the corner junction. The corner guard includes an edge guard bent to cover a portion of the intersection of side walls proximally above the corner junction. The edge guard includes a base end configured to be releasably attached to each side wall proximal of the corner junction. A ledge is formed integrally with the edge guard base end, and the ledge is extended a sufficient width laterally for protective covering of an upper portion of the corner tiles. A tile cover integrally depends from the ledge and is sized and angled to substantially cover the tiles attached proximal of the corner junction. The tile cover protects the corner tiles by deflecting impacts directed toward the corner tiles, thereby minimizing tile damage and maximizing the useful life of the tiles. The edge guard is attached to cover the intersecting surfaces side walls above the corner junction, thereby protecting the covered edges from impacts by cart side supports pushed against the intersecting side walls above tiles covering the corner junction of the walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a corner guard of the present invention, illustrating installation over a corner junction of tiles positioned at an intersection of side walls;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the corner guard of FIG. 1, illustrating an upper portion, a ledge, and a lower portion of the corner guard;

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2, illustrating the upper portion including an edge guard separated by a ledge integrally connecting to a lower portion including a tile cover extending below the ledge;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2, illustrating a first side of the tile cover and edge guard;

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 2, illustrating a second side of the tile cover and edge guard; and

FIG. 6 is a section view along 6-6 of FIG. 1, illustrating a section of an installed corner guard covering tiles attached proximal of the corner junction and covering side wall edge surfaces above the tiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A corner guard 10 is disclosed for providing protection for tiles 12, 14 attached proximal of a corner junction 12 formed by an intersection of side walls 20, 20′. Protection of the tiles 14, 16 attached proximal of each corner junction 12 in a commercial facility such as a restaurant is needed to minimize damage and separation of the tiles 14, 16 attached at the corner junctions 12 in areas where carts may frequently impact the tiles 14, 16.

A typical wall corner intersection is illustrated at 18 in FIG. 1. For installation of plasterboard serving as walls for commercial facility rooms and hallways, each corner intersection 18 will have a length of a metal or a plastic edge strip 18′ attached to cover the abutting corner edges of the side walls 20, 20′ from the floor to the ceiling. The edge strip 18′ provides a smooth corner edge for caulking and for applying paint or wallpaper thereon. It is preferable that the abutting wall corner edges are protected by a barrier of sufficient height to minimize the chipping and tearing of the wall corner edges due to repetitive impacts from carts.

The corner guard 10 includes the following features that provide a readily installed protective cover for tiles attached proximal of the corner junction 12. A cover guard upper portion includes an edge guard 30 that is bent in an angled configuration to form sides 32, 34 of sufficient width to cover a portion of the intersection 18 of the side walls 20, 20′ above the corner junction 12. A base of the edge guard 30 is extended laterally to form a ledge that extends a selected width to a tile cover 22 that is integrally depending from the ledge. The width of the ledge includes first and second surfaces 24″, 26″ that are laterally extended from each respective base end 32′, 34′ of the edge guard 30. The tile cover 22 includes side segments 24, 26 that are angled apart from each other and are sized to substantially cover the respective tiles 14, 16 adjacently positioned at the intersection 18. The tile cover 22 provides a protective cover for the tiles 14, 16 in order to deflect impacts directed toward the tiles by a cart wheel 50 of a portable cart typically utilized in a restaurant or a convention meeting facility. Upon proper installation of a corner guard 10 with the tile cover 22 covering each corner tile 14, 16, recurring impacts from cart wheels and cart corners are deflected away from the tiles 14, 16, thereby minimizing damage to the tiles, minimizing separation of tiles from each corner junction 12, and maximizing the useful life of the tiles 14, 16.

Additional benefits of the configuration of the edge guard 30 include the following elements as illustrated for the first and second attaching members 32, 34 in FIGS. 2-5. The attaching members 32, 34 are bent along a midline 36 to provide an angle of separation 28 that allows each attaching member 32, 34 to cover respective corner edges of walls 20, 20′, thereby protecting each corner edge from cart impacts directed toward a lower portion of the intersection of walls 20, 20′. The first attaching member 32 is generally elongated in a longitudinal orientation and extends from the base end 32′ to a distal end 36′ for a length of about ten inches to about twenty inches. A preferred length for the first and second attaching members 32, 34 is about eighteen inches from the respective base ends 32′, 34′ to the respective distal ends 36′, 36″.

A preferred angle of orientation between the respective interior surfaces of the side members 32, 34, and between the respective interior surfaces 24′″, 26′″ of the tile cover side segments 24, 26, is approximately ninety degrees as illustrated at 28 in FIG. 3. Alternate angles of orientation can be readily provided for covering side walls intersecting at a junction that is less than or greater than a ninety angle. The first and second attaching members 32, 34 are extended longitudinally above the ledge first and second surfaces 24″, 26″. The first and second attaching members 32, 34 have a length of between about ten inches to about twenty inches. A preferred length for the each attaching member 32, 34 is about eighteen inches in length. The first and second attaching members 32, 34 are generally rigid and are preferably constructed of a metal having a sufficient thickness to allow bending at midline 36 in order to modify the angle of orientation of the respective attaching member 32, 34 to accommodate wall junctions that are curved or that intersect at an angle other than ninety degrees. Alternative materials for the attaching member 32, 34 can be selected from generally rigid polymeric materials that can be trimmed in length and width. The attaching members 32, 34 include a plurality of spaced apart connector holes 32″, 32′″, 34″, 34′″, through which connectors 32″″, 34″″ are inserted for attaching first attaching member 32 to side wall 20 and for attaching second attaching member 32 to side wall 20′. The width of the attaching member 32, 34 is less than the overall width of ledge first and second surfaces 24″, 26″ as illustrated by the set-back distance 38′ in FIG. 3 of approximately one-half inch to about seven-sixteenths inch from the distal ends of each respective tile cover side segments 24, 26.

Additional benefits of the configuration of the ledge and tile cover 22 include the following elements that provide protection from impacts for the corner tiles 14, 16. The upper portion of each tile is protected by the ledge surfaces 24″, 26″ that are laterally extended as illustrated by offset 38 in FIG. 3, for approximately one-half inch to about five-eighths inch from the base ends 32′, 34′ of the edge guard 30. A preferred offset 38 is about nine-sixteenths of an inch. The tile cover 22 includes tile cover side segments 24, 26 that are extended from outer corner edge 22′ in generally opposing directions in a substantially ninety degree orientation for covering of each corner tile 14, 16. The width of extension of the side segments 24, 26 from corner edge 22′ can range from about two inches to about three inches. Alternative embodiments having greater widths for side segments 24, 26 are readily provided in order to also provide tile protection for various widths of adjacently positioned tiles 14′, 16′ (see FIG. 1). A depth of about one-half inch to about five-eights inch provides an adequate offset 38 to allow the exterior faced surfaces 24′, 26′ to cover the tiles 14, 16 while being set apart from the respective outwardly faced surfaces of each base 32′, 34′ of the edge guard 30 installed along a portion of the intersection 18 of walls 20, 20′. The downward length extension of each side segment 24, 26 is selected to match the general height of the tiles 14, 16 being covered, minus about an inch in length to accommodate tiles that are curved outwards as illustrated at 12 in FIG. 6.

The tile cover 22 is preferably composed of a generally continuous layer of metal having a thickness of approximately 18 gauge steel. Alternative gauges and materials for tile cover 22 and/or edge guard 30 can be utilized to provide a generally rigid guard while allowing cutting to various sizes. The preferred material is stainless steel in order to provide a protective cover for the tiles 14, 16, while providing aesthetically pleasing exterior surfaces and also allowing for limited trimming and bending to accommodate curved, squared, or multi-faceted corner tiles (not shown).

The positioning and orientation of the corner guard 10 provides protection for the tiles 14, 16 from being impacted by cart wheels 50. The orientation of the tile cover exterior surfaces 24′, 26′ have an adequate offset 38 from the respective connecting members 32, 34 to cover a variety of widths of the upper portions of tiles 14, 16 installed at the corner junction 12. Additional benefits provided by the corner guard 10 include an easily installed device for covering tiles 12, 14 adjacently disposed at a corner junction 12 of two adjacent walls 20, 20′ composed of plasterboard or similar building materials. Further, the corner guard 10 is composed of a generally rigid material such as metal that can be appropriately bent and angled to protectively cover the tiles 12, 14 regardless of whether the angle of separation of the respective tiles is greater than, or smaller than about ninety degrees. In addition, if the tiles covering the corner junction are arcuately shaped, the curvature of the tile cover 22 can be adjusted by bending each side segment 24, 26 to a curvature that provides for adequate coverage of each tile 14, 16 connected at corner junction 12.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

1. A corner guard providing protection for tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by an intersection of side walls, comprising: an edge guard bent to cover a portion of the intersection of side walls proximally above the corner junction, said edge guard having a base end configured to be releasably attached to each side wall proximal of the tiles covering the corner junction; a ledge formed integrally with said edge guard base end, said ledge extended a sufficient width outwardly from said base end to provide protective covering of an upper portion of the tiles; and a tile cover integrally depending downwardly from said ledge, said tile cover being sized and angled to substantially cover the tiles attached proximal of the corner junction; whereby said tile cover protectively covers the tiles thereby deflecting impacts directed toward the tiles and minimizing damage to the tiles while said edge guard protectively covers the intersection of side walls proximal of the tiles thereby deflecting impacts and minimizing damage to the corner junction and the intersection of side walls proximal of the tiles.
 2. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said edge guard includes two strips having elongated lengths extending from said base end to respective upper ends, said two strips being angled to separately attach along each respective side wall surface proximal of the intersection of side walls.
 3. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said tile cover includes side segments each having a sufficient width and a sufficient angle therebetween for covering the tiles, said sufficient width being between about two inches and about three inches.
 4. The corner guard of claim 3 wherein said tile cover side segments further include each side segment having a lengthwise dimension of between about five inches and about six inches.
 5. The corner guard of claim 2 wherein said edge guard strips include a sufficient width to cover at least one inch of each side wall surface proximal of the intersection of side walls, each edge guard strip having a length of between about ten inches and about twenty inches extended longitudinally from each respective base end.
 6. The corner guard of claim 5 wherein said ledge includes a width forming a set-back depth of between about one quarter inch to about three quarters inch between said longitudinally oriented edge guard strips and said downwardly oriented tile cover.
 7. A corner guard providing protection for tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by an intersection of side walls, comprising: an edge guard bent to cover a portion of the intersection of side walls proximal of the corner junction, said edge guard having a base end configured to be releasably attached to each side wall proximal of the tiles covering the corner junction; a ledge formed integrally with said edge guard base end, said ledge extended a sufficient width outwardly from said base end for protective covering of an upper portion of the tiles; and a tile cover integrally depending downwardly from said ledge, said tile cover being sized and angled to substantially cover tiles attached proximal of the corner junction; whereby said tile cover protectively covers the tiles thereby deflecting impacts directed toward the tiles and minimizing damage to the tiles while said edge guard protectively covers the intersection of side walls proximal of the tiles thereby deflecting impacts and minimizing damage to the wall edges of the intersection of side walls proximal of the corner junction.
 8. The corner guard of claim 7 wherein said edge guard includes two strips having elongated lengths extending from said base end to respective upper ends, said two strips being angled to separately attach along each respective side wall surface proximal of the intersection of side walls.
 9. The corner guard of claim 7 wherein said tile cover includes side segments each having a sufficient width and a sufficient angle therebetween for covering the tiles, said sufficient width being between about two inches and about three inches.
 10. The corner guard of claim 9 wherein said tile cover side segments further include each side segment having a lengthwise dimension of between about five inches and about six inches.
 11. The corner guard of claim 8 wherein said edge guard strips include a sufficient width to cover at least one inch of each side wall surface proximal of the intersection of side walls, each edge guard strip having a length of between about ten inches and about twenty inches extended longitudinally from each respective base end.
 12. The corner guard of claim 11 wherein said ledge includes a width forming a set-back depth of between about one quarter inch to about three quarters inch between said longitudinally oriented edge guard strips and said downwardly oriented tile cover.
 13. A corner guard for protecting adjacent tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by intersecting side wall surfaces, comprising: a tile cover including first and second laterally oriented segments joined at a corner edge, said tile cover segments being sized and angled relative to each other to substantially cover the adjacent tiles attached proximal of the corner junction, said tile cover having a ledge integrally formed to extend inwardly from an upper surface of said tile cover, whereby said ledge extends over the-adjacent tiles when said tile cover is positioned to cover the adjacent tiles, thereby protecting the adjacent tiles from impacts directed against said tile cover; and an edge guard having base ends integrally formed with said ledge to extend a set-back depth upwardly from said tile cover upper surface, said edge guard is bent in width and longitudinally extended from said base ends to cover respective side wall surfaces proximal of the intersection of side walls above the corner junction; whereby said tile cover protectively covers the adjacent tiles thereby deflecting impacts directed toward the tile cover and minimizing damage to the tiles while said edge guard protectively covers the side wall surfaces proximal of the intersection of side walls above the corner junction thereby deflecting impacts and minimizing damage to the intersection of side walls covered by the edge guard.
 14. The corner guard of claim 13 wherein said edge guard includes two strips having elongated lengths extending from said base end to respective upper ends, said two strips being angled to separately attach along each respective side wall surface -proximal of the intersection of side walls.
 15. The corner guard of claim 14 wherein said tile cover includes side segments each having a sufficient width and a sufficient angle therebetween for covering the tiles, said sufficient width being between about two inches and about three inches.
 16. The corner guard of claim 15 wherein said tile cover side segments further include each having a lengthwise dimension of between about five inches and about six inches.
 17. The corner guard of claim 16 wherein said edge guard strips include a sufficient width to cover at least one inch of each side wall surface proximal of the intersection of side walls, each edge guard strip having a length of between about ten inches and about twenty inches extended longitudinally from each respective base end.
 18. The corner guard of claim 17 wherein said ledge includes a width forming a set-back depth of between about one quarter inch to about three quarters inch between said longitudinally oriented edge guard strips and said downwardly oriented tile cover. 